Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers During Dermatology Residency—Challenges and Best Practices

Lactation challenges of resident physicians- results of a national survey

“…The stipulation of providing refrigeration for breast milk within lactation rooms needs to be mandated and computer access added as a requirement. A clear ACGME policy regarding a minimum frequency of protected time for lactating women may lessen the burden residents feel when asking their attendings to be excused for pumping; for example, 20 to 30-min breaks every 3 h plus transit time [19]. In response to the commonly shared stigma inciting feelings of guilt, institutions should consider adding mandatory education for all faculty and residents regarding the medical necessity for lactating women to be provided adequate time to express breast milk in order to avoid health complications.…”

Thoughts on dermatology residents who are new parents

“…The good news is that the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education now lists the provision of lactation facilities, separate storage for breast milk, and protected time in their program requirements for residency training programs (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, 2019). Ideally, the lactation room should be located near where residents work or study; be clean and private with a lockable door and a sink to wash hands and the pump equipment; contain a comfortable chair, light, table, or desk on which to place the breast pump; contain an electrical outlet; and have a secure separate refrigerator for milk storage and secure area to store personal breast pump and supplies (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2019; Gracey et al, 2019;United States Breastfeeding Committee, 2018). To allow the trainee to work while pumping, there should also be a computer work station with Internet connection and a phone to call patients or other physicians.…”

“…This usually involves only 20 to 30 minutes to express breast milk every 2 to 3 hours. This will allow the new mother to provide sufficient milk for the infant and reduce her risk of developing engorgement, pain, or mastitis (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2019; Gracey et al, 2019;United States Breastfeeding Committee, 2018).…”

Lean in or out: How to balance when the world turns upside down?

“…Resident physicians with children often rely on intricate networks of family and caregivers, given call schedules, lack of autonomy governing daily work hours, and limited flexibility regarding time off. Recently, headway has been made by many dermatology programs across the country to assist residents as they navigate the demands of new parenthood ( Gracey et al, 2020 , Mattessich et al, 2017 ). The implementation of similar guidelines to support residents through the COVID-19 pandemic—with increased flexibility to relieve childcare providers and time off for personal illness, to care for sick family members, or for other unforeseen emergencies—would be compassionate and prudent.…”